System and method for internet audio/video delivery

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for Internet audio/video delivery. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for Internet audio/video delivery.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/192,082, filed Feb. 27, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/025,360, filed Feb. 4, 2008, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/887,922, filed Feb.2, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/913,402, filed Apr.23, 2007. Each of the aforementioned applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for Internetaudio/video delivery.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method forInternet audio/video delivery.

For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, theterm “audio/video content” is intended to refer to audio content and/orvideo content (including, without limitation, still pictures and/ormoving pictures).

Further, for the purposes of describing and claiming the presentinvention the term “audio/video data element” is intended to refer toaudio/video content in the form of a computer-readable data stream orfile (including, without limitation, an audio file such as .midi, .wav,.mp3; a still picture file such as .jpg, .tiff, .bmp; a multimedia filesuch as .mov, .mpg, avi; and/or an animation such as .swf (a filecreated with ADOBE software). Of note, a given audio/video data element(e.g., a .swf file) may be a composite of other audio/video dataelements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Two examples of patent publications related to distributing data over acomputer network include the following: U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication 2006/0259607, published Nov. 16, 2006 in the name of O'Nealet al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0051051, publishedMar. 13, 2003 in the name of O'Neal et al.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system architecture according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 shows a system architecture according to a conventional liveInternet webcast;

FIG. 3 shows a system architecture according to another embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 4A-4F show web browser screenshots according to other embodimentsof the present invention.

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, otherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures. The figures constitute a part of this specification and includeillustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with thevarious embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative,and not restrictive. Further, any trademarks, company names and the likereferred to in the present application are intended to be illustrative,and not restrictive. Further still, the figures are not necessarily toscale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Of note, the application may contain some material that may be subjectto copyright protection. A disclaimer of copyright with regard to anymaterial owned by another party is hereby made.

In one embodiment the present invention relates to an onlineservice/platform to enable anybody to launch their own 24/7 TV stationon the Internet. As opposed to services like Youtube (e.g., where singlevideo clips can be uploaded and viewed), the service/platform of thisembodiment enables users to create 24/7 linear channels which caninclude pre-recorded audio/video content organized in playlists as wellas live audio/video content (like a news program, talk show, etc.). Thechannels may be interactive as viewers may contact the producers toparticipate in the show (e.g., using the viewer's webcam and/ormicrophone). Each of the channel producers may have access to a “studio”which allows each producer to control the channel in realtime, such as,for example, by mixing live cameras, creating playlists, controllinggraphics like a channel bug, etc. Various embodiments of the presentinvention thus permit one or more channels to be controlled by groups ofpeople together in realtime.

In another embodiment the present invention relates to an architectureto enable live television/audio/video distribution. In this regard,whereby traditional TV broadcast is done by rendering/mixing a signal atthe broadcast station which is then encoded as a finished product andtransmitted to viewers as a complete video stream from a single source,various embodiments of the present invention may utilize a distributionsystem sending to the viewers (e.g., all the viewers) “control messages”(e.g., “play this video now”, “put this graphic there”, “switch to thislive camera signal”, etc.). Based upon such control messages a playercomponent (e.g., disposed on a computer associated with each viewer) isthen responsible in this embodiment to access the content from one ormore sources (e.g., from third party servers), to buffer the content, toassemble the content, to synchronize the content and to play the contentseamlessly giving the impression to the viewer of a live stream playing.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system architecture according to oneembodiment of the present invention is shown. As seen in this FIG. 1,studios 101A-101C are provided (while three studios are shown in thisexample, any desired number of such studios may be provided). In oneexample, each of studios 101A-101C may be associated with a given personacting as a producer and each of studios 101A-101C may comprise softwarerunning on a computer. In one specific example, each of studios101A-101C may comprise software (such as ADOBE Flash/Flex/ActionScript 3software) running in a web browser.

Further, each of studios 101A-101C communicates with channel server 103,which may control one or more channels (of course, any desired number ofchannels and/or channel servers may be utilized under the presentinvention). In one example, such communication may be via the Internet.The communication between each of studios 101A-101C and channel server103 may comprise: (a) control messages from each of studios 101A-101C tochannel server 103 for use in controlling each player component105A-105C (discussed in more detail below); (b) control messages fromchannel server 103 to each of studios 101A-101C for use in controllingeach of studios 101A-101C (e.g., what to display on a screen of one ofthe studios based upon what other producers at one or more of the otherstudios are doing, what to display on a screen of one of the studiosbased upon what is being displayed at one or more player components);and/or (c) audio/video content to be sent by channel server 103 to oneor more of player components 105A-105C (discussed in more detail below).

Channel server 103 also communicates (e.g., directly via an intranetand/or indirectly via the Internet) with server persistence engine 107and channel quality of service engine 109.

As mentioned above, player components 105A-105C are controlled bychannel server 103 (e.g., through control messages sent from channelserver 103 via the Internet). In one example, each of player components105A-105C may be associated with a given person acting as a viewer andeach of player components 105A-105C may comprise software running on acomputer (while three player components are shown in this example, anydesired number of such player components may be provided). In onespecific example, each of player components 105A-105C may comprisesoftware (such as ADOBE Flash/Flex/ActionScript 3 software) running in aweb browser. In another specific example, each player component maycomprise a PC, a TV and/or a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone orPDA). In another specific example, each of player components 105A-105Cmay comprise a quality of service (QOS) engine, a compositing engine anda rendering engine.

Based upon control messages received by each of player components105A-105C from channel server 103 (wherein the messages may vary fordifferent player components and/or the messages may be the same fordifferent player components), each of player components 105A-105C getsaudio/video content from one or more of audio/video content providers111A-111C for display to each respective viewer (while three audio/videocontent providers are shown in this example, any desired number of suchaudio/video content providers may be provided). In one example, each ofplayer components 105A-105C may communicate with each of audio/videocontent providers 111A-111C via the Internet. In one specific example,the content may comprise video (e.g., one or more live video feeds, oneor more recorded video feeds), one or more still images (e.g., jpg, png)and/or audio (e.g., one or more live audio feeds, one or more recordedvideo feeds, an MP3 stream).

In another example, one or more of studios 101A-101C may provide its owncontent (e.g., live audio/video) to one or more of player components105A-105C through channel server 103 (e.g., in a similar manner toconventional Internet television without using control messages todirect the player component to get that specific content from a contentprovider).

In another example, one or more studios and/or one or more playercomponents may comprise software running as a desktop application (e.g.,which communicates with the channel server(s) and/or the contentprovider server(s) over the Internet).

In another example, various embodiments of the present invention mayoperate in essentially real-time. In one specific example, the studiosmay control directly and at any moment in time what each clientapplication (each player component) displays. The producer of a channelmay, for example, change the text of the ticker, which will in turn senda control message to the channel server, which will propagate it to allclient applications (all player components).

In another embodiment of the present invention a system for distributingaudio/video convent via a network is provided, comprising: a clientsoftware application, wherein the client software application runs on aclient device (see, e.g., player components 105A-105C of FIG. 1); and amessaging software application, wherein the messaging softwareapplication runs on a messaging server (see, e.g., channel server 103 ofFIG. 1); wherein the client device and the messaging server areoperatively connected together via the network such that the clientsoftware application receives at least one message from the messagingsoftware application; wherein the at least one message causes the clientsoftware application to access at least: i) a first audio/video dataelement and ii) a second audio/video data element; and wherein the atleast one message causes the client software application to compositetogether at least: i) the first audio/video data element and ii) thesecond audio/video data element and to render at least the compositedfirst and second audio/video data elements at the client device.

In one example, the client device may comprise a client computer.

In another example, the network may comprise the Internet.

In another example, the client software application may access the firstand second audio/video data elements via the network.

In another example, the client software application may access the firstand second audio/video data elements from a content server (see, e.g.,audio/video content providers 111A-111C of FIG. 1).

In another example, the client software application may access the firstaudio/video data element from a first content server, the clientsoftware application may access the second audio/video data element froma second content server, and the first content server may be distinctfrom the second content server.

In another example, the client software application may access at leastone of the first and second audio/video data elements by opening a datastream.

In another example, the client software application may access at leastone of the first and second audio/video data elements by downloading.

In another example, a studio software application may be provided,wherein the studio software application may run on a studio computer(see, e.g., studios 101A-101C of FIG. 1).

In another example, the studio computer and the messaging server may beoperatively connected together via the network such that the messagingsoftware application receives at least one message from the studiosoftware application.

In another example, the at least one message received by the clientsoftware application from the messaging software application may bebased at least in part upon the at least one message received by themessaging software application from the studio software application.

In another example, the messaging, compositing and/or rendering may becarried out in essentially real-time.

In another embodiment of the present invention a system for distributingaudio/video convent via a network is provided, comprising: a pluralityof client software applications, wherein each of the plurality of clientsoftware applications runs on a respective one of a plurality of clientdevices (see, e.g., player components 105A-105C of FIG. 1); and at leastone messaging software application, wherein the messaging softwareapplication runs on a messaging server (see, e.g., channel server 103 ofFIG. 1); wherein each of the plurality of client devices is operativelyconnected with the messaging server via the network such that each ofthe plurality of client software applications receives at least onemessage from the messaging software application; wherein at least one ofthe messages cause each of the plurality of client software applicationsto access at least: i) a first audio/video data element and ii) a secondaudio/video data element; and wherein at least one of the messages causeeach of the plurality of client software applications to compositetogether at least: i) the first audio/video data element and ii) thesecond audio/video data element and to render at least the compositedfirst and second audio/video data elements at each respective one of theplurality of client devices.

In one example, at least one message received by at least one of theplurality of client software applications may be distinct from at leastone message received by at least another of the plurality of clientsoftware applications.

In another example, at least one message received by each of theplurality of client software applications may synchronize each of theplurality of client software applications such as to render thecomposited first and second audio/video data elements in essentially thesame state at essentially the same time.

In another example, a plurality of studio software applications may beprovided, wherein each of the plurality of studio software applicationsmay run on a respective one of a plurality of studio computers (see,e.g., studios 101A-101C of FIG. 1).

In another example, each of the plurality of studio computers may beoperatively connected with the messaging server via the network suchthat the messaging software application receives at least one messagefrom each of the plurality of studio software applications.

In another example, at least one message received by each of theplurality of client software applications from the messaging softwareapplication may be based at least in part upon at least one messagereceived by the messaging software application from at least one of theplurality of studio software applications.

In another example, a plurality of messaging software applications maybe provided, wherein each of the plurality of messaging softwareapplication may run on a respective one of a plurality of messagingservers, wherein each of the plurality of client devices may beoperatively connected with at least one of the plurality of messagingservers via the network such that each of the plurality of clientsoftware applications receives at least one message from at least one ofthe plurality of messaging software applications, and wherein each ofthe plurality of studio computers may be operatively connected with atleast one of the plurality of messaging servers via the network suchthat at least one of the plurality of messaging software applicationsreceives at least one message from at least one of the studio softwareapplications.

In another embodiment of the present invention a method for distributingaudio/video convent via a network is provided, comprising: sending to aclient software application at least one message, wherein the clientsoftware application runs on a client device (see, e.g., playercomponents 105A-105C of FIG. 1), wherein the at least one message causesthe client software application to access at least: i) a firstaudio/video data element and ii) a second audio/video data element, andwherein the at least one message causes the client software applicationto composite together at least: i) the first audio/video data elementand ii) the second audio/video data element and to render at least thecomposited first and second audio/video data elements at the clientdevice; and receiving from the client software application at least onemessage, wherein the at least one message received from the clientsoftware application indicates at least one of: (a) a degree of accessby the client software application to at least the first audio/videodata element and to the second audio/video data element; (b) a degree ofcompletion of the compositing together at least the first audio/videodata element and the second audio/video data element; and (c) a degreeof completion of rendering at least the composited first and secondaudio/video data elements.

In another example, the at least one message may be received at a studiosoftware application from the client software application, and thestudio software application may run on a studio computer (see, e.g.,studios 101A-101C of FIG. 1).

In another example, at least one message may be received at the studiosoftware application from the client software application via thenetwork.

In another example, the at least one message may be received at thestudio software application from the client software applicationdirectly.

In another example, the at least one message may be received at thestudio software application from the client software application bypassing through at least one intermediary server.

In another example, the steps may be carried out in the order recited.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a system architecture according to aconventional live Internet webcast is shown. As seen in this Fig.,production studio 200 is utilized to mix audio/video signals fromsources 201A-202D at mixer 203. The output of mixer 203 is feed tocharacter generator 205. The output of character generator 205 is feedto web encoder 207. The output of web encoder 207 is feed to contentdelivery network 209 (which may include load balancing) and then on toviewers 211. Thus, the content is simply assembled at the source andstreamed out.

In contrast to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows a system architecture according toan embodiment of the present invention in which each of remote producers301A-301C utilizes associated studio 303A-303C to communicate via theInternet with broadcasting platform 302 in order to control what each ofviewers 305 sees on an associated player component. Each of the playercomponents may receive control messages from broadcasting platform 302,each of the player components may retrieve content from content sources307 (e.g., as directed by the control messages), each of the playercomponents may receive content from one or more of studios 303A-303C(e.g., via broadcasting platform 302) and/or each of the playercomponents may receive content from broadcasting platform 302. Of note,broadcasting platform 302 is operatively connected to the Internet tocommunicate with the studios, the player components and/or the contentsources. Similarly, each of the player components (which are notseparately shown in the Fig.) is operatively connected to the Internetto communicate with broadcasting platform 302 and content sources 307.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, a web browser screenshot of a player componentaccording to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The playercomponent may include one or more of the following:

-   -   Mail—send a message to one or more channel producers    -   Call—call one or more channel producers live with the viewer's        webcam (a channel producer may put the calling viewers “on the        air” live)    -   Chat—chat among viewers and producers    -   Guide—browse other channels available to the player component    -   Full screen

Referring now to FIGS. 4B-4F, web browser screenshots of a studioaccording to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

With regard to these FIGS. 4B-4F, it is noted that use of the studiomay, in one example, proceed as follows:

-   -   A producer logs onto a web site with a channel name, a username        and a password and clicks “Create New Channel”    -   The producer then selects “Configure The Channel” (see FIG. 4B),        which may be a one-time process    -   The producer then selects “Get Content” (see FIG. 4C), which may        comprise searching the

Internet for images/audio/video from within the studio

-   -   The producer then selects “Create A Storyboard” (see FIG. 4D),        which may comprise dragging the search results from the “Get        Content” step into a storyboard within the studio    -   The producer then selects “Broadcast Live” (see FIGS. 4E and        4F), which may comprise using a live mixer or turning on an        “auto-pilot”

More particularly, with regard to “Configure The Channel”, FIG. 4B showsa screenshot of how the producer of a newly created channel can pick abroadcast graphics template and customize and preview (not shown) thegraphics. Such graphics may include (but not be limited to): Bug; LowerThird; Ticker; Over The Shoulder; Test Card. This configuration of achannel may, in one example, be a one-time process (similar to the waythat some blog publishing software may let you choose and configuretemplates to establish an identity when you first launch your blog).

Further, with regard to “Get Content”, FIG. 4C shows a screenshot of howthe producer of a newly created channel can search the Internet forimages/audio/video from within the studio. The “Get Content” tab mayallow users to easily type keywords and search integrated sources (e.g.,AOL Video, Youtube, Google, etc.). The Search results may be streamedin. The user may preview any clip. The user may drag the clips into theuser's storyboard in preparation for a live broadcast and/or play listloop. When the user drags the search results into a storyboard, thesystem of this embodiment may automatically download the files,transcode the files and post the files to the servers of the system (theuser may see a progress bar). This FIG. 4C also shows some other examplesources of audio/video content including (but not limited to): from theweb; from a web site; from another channel; from an online store; fromthe user's computer; from the user's webcam.

Further, with regard to “Create A Storyboard”, FIG. 4D shows ascreenshot of how a storyboard may be used as a playlist for theauto-pilot and/or a guide to produce a live broadcast (similar to ascript). In one example, the producer can go into the storyboard and:re-order clips; add notes useful to him and his fellow producers; and/oradd text for the presenter to say while on camera (similar to abroadcast teleprompter). In addition, collaboration may be provided suchthat searches and/or storyboards are available in realtime to anyproducer logged into a given channel (e.g., if one producer adds text orre-orders a storyboard, all the other producers of that channel can seenthe changes in realtime).

Further, with regard to “Broadcast Live”, FIG. 4E shows a screenshot of“Live Studio”, where producers mix live (when the channel is in“auto-pilot” mode a playlist may be automatically followed (in oneexample, the auto-pilot can be seen pressing the various buttons on thestudio screen)). Of course, when auto-pilot is not turned on, theproducer may mix in realtime.

In any case, in one example the basic process may be as follows:

-   -   The producer loads a storyboard on the left    -   The producer drags the clips into the bank for preview    -   The producer presses CUE    -   When the system is ready and the producer is ready the producer        presses “Go Live”    -   The audio/video will then mix (cross fade) with the current        output    -   The producer may then repeat as needed or turn on the auto-pilot        as desired

Of note, the bottom-right of this FIG. 4E shows the following tabs:

-   -   Graphics—type in information (e.g., names and titles) and        control how graphics transition on and off the screen    -   Sound—sound effects    -   Transitions—wipes and effects    -   Statistics—details about who is watching    -   Record—record your live show for re-broadcast    -   Chat—chat between logged-in producers (output shown at the        middle top section)

Still referring to “Broadcast Live”, FIG. 4F shows another screenshot of“Live Studio”. As seen in this Fig., the producer has now selected thecameras tab on the left. Here the producer can see the cameras of all ofthe other producers logged-in for this channel. In one example, aproducer can simply drag any webcam on the bank and make it live. Inanother example, viewers can call the channel. A switchboard tab mayallow someone from the production team to select one or more viewers andput the selected viewer(s) in the camera list for live broadcast. Avideo mail functionality may be provided if a producer does not replyon-time to one or more calls (the viewer may be able to leave a messagefor future broadcast).

In another example, the architecture may be platform agnostic.

In another example, the architecture may work for cable operators,mobile operators, etc.

In another embodiment the present invention relates to a realtime sharedproduction tool. In this regard, such a realtime shared production toolmay comprise capabilities to have producers around the world controlling(e.g., mixing, etc.) together a single video channel in realtime. Thismay comprise a “virtual, global TV studio”.

In another embodiment the present invention relates to interactivitywith viewers. In this regard, viewers may call the channel (e.g., inrealtime) using audio/video (e.g., using the viewer's webcam and/ormicrophone), be selected by a switchboard and then be put through liveon the channel (if the producers so decide).

In another example, the present invention may provide a single studiofor each channel.

In another example, the present invention may provide a plurality ofstudios for each channel (in one specific example, there may be a“master” studio that takes precedence over the other studios associatedwith a given channel; in another specific example, there may be no“master” studio, such that none of the plurality of studios associatedwith a given channel takes precedence over the other).

Of note, regarding the case of a plurality of studios for each channel,as new studios become associated with a given channel, the new studio(s)may be synchronized with the existing studio(s).

In another example, a player component may comprise software (e.g.,which may be run in a web browser) and the player component/browser mayrun on a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile phone,etc.

In another example, a player component may provide to the viewer nofacility for a fast forward operation, a rewind operation or the like(similar to a conventional television).

In another example, each channel may be public or private (e.g.,accessible only via invitation and/or through the use of aunername/password).

In another example, advertisements may be inserted into one or morechannels. In one specific example the advertisements may be inserted ona set schedule (e.g., periodically, every 10 minutes). In anotherspecific example, the advertisements may be targeted based upon channelcontent (e.g., a channel carrying sports content gets sports-relatedadvertising; a channel carrying fashion content gets fashion-relatedadvertising).

In another example, each of the studios and/or the player components maybe an online Rich Internet Application built using ADOBEFlash/Flex/ActionScript 3 and no downloads may be required; further,each of the studios and/or the player components may be MAC/PC/LINUXcompatible.

In another example, a .swf (a file created with ADOBEFlash/Flex/ActionScript 3 software) may be utilized to allow producersto put broadcast graphics on one or more desired channels.

As described above, one example of the present invention may provide alive streaming protocol (including control messages) for controlling oneor more player components from one or more servers (wherein at leastsome of the content played by the player components(s) comes fromsource(s) different than the server(s) providing the control messages).

Further, as described above, another example of the present inventionmay provide for global distributed production/mixing (e.g., multiplestudios at distinct remote locations providing control messages for agiven channel to control one or more player components).

Further still, as described above, another example of the presentinvention may provide for quality of service (QoS) measurement and/orcontrol. In one specific example, a channel server may receive feedbackfrom one or more player components regarding when the playercomponent(s) are ready to play content. In another example, a QoS enginemay be integrated to ensure that all the player components remain insynchronization (e.g., late-arriving player components are synchronizedwith player components that are already being used at the time thelate-arriving player components start). In another example, thesynchronization may utilize state information. In another example, thesynchronization may comprise predictive synchronization.

Further still, as described above, another example of the presentinvention may provide for interactive communication among the studio(s)and the player component(s).

Further still, as described above, another example of the presentinvention may provide users (e.g., producers) the ability to recordinstructions for broadcasting (see the “auto-pilot” discussed above) asone or more text files containing the necessary instructions.

Of note, the embodiments described herein may, of course, be implementedusing any appropriate computer hardware and/or computer software. Inthis regard, those of ordinary skill in the art are well versed in thetype of computer hardware that may be used (e.g., a mainframe, amini-computer, a personal computer (“PC”), a network (e.g., an intranetand/or the Internet)), the type of computer programming techniques thatmay be used (e.g., object oriented programming), and the type ofcomputer programming languages that may be used (e.g., C++, Basic, AJAX,Javascript, ADOBE Flash/Flex/ActionScript3). The aforementioned examplesare, of course, illustrative and not restrictive.

While a number of embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrativeonly, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, certainmethods may have been described herein as being “computer implementable”or “computer implemented”. In this regard, it is noted that while suchmethods can be implemented using a computer, the methods do notnecessarily have to be implemented using a computer. Also, to the extentthat such methods are implemented using a computer, not every step mustnecessarily be implemented using a computer. Further, any desired numberof studio(s), player component(s), channel server(s) and/or contentprovider server(s) may be associated with a given channel. Furtherstill, any desired number of channels (and any desired number ofassociated producer(s) and/or associated viewer(s)) may be provided.Further still, the various steps may be carried out in any desired order(and any desired steps may be added and/or any desired steps may beeliminated).

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for distributing audio/video convent viaa network, comprising: a client software application, wherein the clientsoftware application runs on a client device; and a messaging softwareapplication, wherein the messaging software application runs on amessaging server; wherein the client device and the messaging server areoperatively connected together via the network such that the clientsoftware application receives at least one message from the messagingsoftware application; wherein the at least one message causes the clientsoftware application to access at least: i) a first audio/video dataelement and ii) a second audio/video data element; and wherein the atleast one message causes the client software application to compositetogether at least: i) the first audio/video data element and ii) thesecond audio/video data element and to render at least the compositedfirst and second audio/video data elements at the client device.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the client device comprises a clientcomputer.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the network comprises theInternet.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the client softwareapplication accesses the first and second audio/video data elements viathe network.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the client softwareapplication accesses the first and second audio/video data elements froma content server.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the client softwareapplication accesses the first audio/video data element from a firstcontent server, wherein the client software application accesses thesecond audio/video data element from a second content server, andwherein the first content server is distinct from the second contentserver.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the client softwareapplication accesses at least one of the first and second audio/videodata elements by opening a data stream.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the client software application accesses at least one of thefirst and second audio/video data elements by downloading.
 9. The systemof claim 1, further comprising a studio software application, whereinthe studio software application runs on a studio computer.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the studio computer and the messaging serverare operatively connected together via the network such that themessaging software application receives at least one message from thestudio software application.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the atleast one message received by the client software application from themessaging software application is based at least in part upon the atleast one message received by the messaging software application fromthe studio software application.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein themessaging, compositing and rendering are carried out in essentiallyrealtime.
 13. A system for distributing audio/video convent via anetwork, comprising: a plurality of client software applications,wherein each of the plurality of client software applications runs on arespective one of a plurality of client devices; and at least onemessaging software application, wherein the messaging softwareapplication runs on a messaging server; wherein each of the plurality ofclient devices is operatively connected with the messaging server viathe network such that each of the plurality of client softwareapplications receives at least one message from the messaging softwareapplication; wherein at least one of the messages cause each of theplurality of client software applications to access at least: i) a firstaudio/video data element and ii) a second audio/video data element; andwherein at least one of the messages cause each of the plurality ofclient software applications to composite together at least: i) thefirst audio/video data element and ii) the second audio/video dataelement and to render at least the composited first and secondaudio/video data elements at each respective one of the plurality ofclient devices.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one messagereceived by at least one of the plurality of client softwareapplications is distinct from at least one message received by at leastanother of the plurality of client software applications.
 15. The systemof claim 13, wherein at least one message received by each of theplurality of client software applications synchronizes each of theplurality of client software applications such as to render thecomposited first and second audio/video data elements in essentially thesame state at essentially the same time.
 16. The system of claim 13,further comprising a plurality of studio software applications, whereineach of the plurality of studio software applications runs on arespective one of a plurality of studio computers.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein each of the plurality of studio computers isoperatively connected with the messaging server via the network suchthat the messaging software application receives at least one messagefrom each of the plurality of studio software applications.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein at least one message received by each of theplurality of client software applications from the messaging softwareapplication is based at least in part upon at least one message receivedby the messaging software application from at least one of the pluralityof studio software applications.
 19. The system of claim 17, furthercomprising a plurality of messaging software applications, wherein eachof the plurality of messaging software application runs on a respectiveone of a plurality of messaging servers, wherein each of the pluralityof client devices is operatively connected with at least one of theplurality of messaging servers via the network such that each of theplurality of client software applications receives at least one messagefrom at least one of the plurality of messaging software applications,and wherein each of the plurality of studio computers is operativelyconnected with at least one of the plurality of messaging servers viathe network such that at least one of the plurality of messagingsoftware applications receives at least one message from at least one ofthe studio software applications.
 20. A method for distributingaudio/video convent via a network, comprising: sending to a clientsoftware application at least one message, wherein the client softwareapplication runs on a client device, wherein the at least one messagecauses the client software application to access at least: i) a firstaudio/video data element and ii) a second audio/video data element, andwherein the at least one message causes the client software applicationto composite together at least: i) the first audio/video data elementand ii) the second audio/video data element and to render at least thecomposited first and second audio/video data elements at the clientdevice; and receiving from the client software application at least onemessage, wherein the at least one message received from the clientsoftware application indicates at least one of: (a) a degree of accessby the client software application to at least the first audio/videodata element and to the second audio/video data element; (b) a degree ofcompletion of the compositing together at least the first audio/videodata element and the second audio/video data element; and (c) a degreeof completion of rendering at least the composited first and secondaudio/video data elements.